A couple have appeared in court for a third day to deny neglecting more than 100 guinea pigs and a chicken.

Fifty-nine-year-old Marcus Mercer and Gina Mercer, 54, of Whetsted Road, Paddock Wood, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court charged with four counts of failure to ensure the welfare of animals and one count of causing unnecessary suffering.

They are accused of not providing adequate living conditions for 131 guinea pigs and failing to seek medical advice about a chicken which has since died.

The court heard how in May 2013 acting on information provided by a member of the public two RSPCA officials attended the couple's premises and discovered 131 guinea pigs in 25 hutches.

A video taken at the time by Insp Caroline Doe shows the extent of the issues.

Insp Doe can be heard saying: "I have never seen anything like this, there are guinea pigs rammed into the top and some have no water.

"These are the worst conditions I have ever seen."

One of the animals was found dead alongside eight others.

As many as 21 were crammed into one area measuring just 4.5ft by 1.5ft.

The majority of the guinea pigs were suffering from illnesses associated with being kept in close proximity to faeces and urine.

Rex Bryan, prosecuting said that a number of hutches had been piled high with soiled straw meaning the pets had a tiny gap in which to live.

PC Michael Laidlaw of Kent Police, who attended the property and helped confiscate the animals, said maggots were living in several hutches and described finding the emaciated chicken in a recycling box near a heater inside the property.

He added that upon arriving at the premises he noticed a sign advertising the guinea pigs for sale for £15 each.

Each guinea pig and the chicken were taken into the RSPCA's care.

Several dogs and cats living within the property, which at the time was not inhabited by humans, were not removed after inspectors served an improvement notice and returned to find changes for the better had been made.

"I have never seen anything like this, there are guinea pigs rammed into the top and some have no water. These are the worst conditions I have ever seen." — RSPCA Inspector Caroline Doe

During an interview with the RSPCA Mr Mercer said that he was not involved in the upkeep of the guinea pigs.

He said in his opinion his wife had too many and that he had made this clear to her.

Mrs Mercer conceded that due to a back injury and busy schedule at points caring for the animals had got too much for her and that due to a mistake with the sexing of some of the pets there numbers had started to spiral out of control.

She added that she had taken care of guinea pigs since a young age and spent five hours a day looking after hers.

Nigel Weller, defending, said there were ample clean hutches available on the site into which the animals could be rehoused and also questioned why officers present failed to contact the local vets before removing the animals.

Mr Weller added the law states that a veterinarian must visit the premises if possible before confiscation.

RSPCA inspector Emily Cheeseman said there was a perceived immediate threat to the lives of all the animals.

Insp Cheeseman said: "The cages were horrific, there was months worth of old soiled bedding and faeces and only about ten centimetres of space at the top of some. Not every hutch had water."

The couple have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues and is expected to last three days.